Undershepherds

Here at the end of Peter’s letter, he’s starting to wrap things up. We’re going to take a few weeks to go through 1 Peter 5. And we’re going to see some repeated themes and some closing remarks.

Here, at the beginning of his conclusion, Peter addresses the elders of the churches that are scattered around Asia Minor (present day Turkey). You’d like to see a map? Well, sure. I can do that.

[MAP]

Peter is writing, initially, to churches scattered throughout the region. 1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,”

All local churches in the NT were governed by a plurality of elders, by a group of elders. The NT knows nothing of a local church in which only one elder exercises authority. Likewise, the NT knows nothing of a church without elders. In each church that was started, the apostles appointed elders.

So, as Peter is writing to the churches here, he’s specifically addressing the elders of the churches for a few verses.

By the grace of God, this letter has been preserved for us and all the other churches around the world and down through the centuries. Peter didn’t know it at the time, I’m sure, but God would use this letter in significant ways. These words are God-breathed and instructive.

God-breathed for us. Today. Instructive for us. Today.

At first blush, these few verses might seem to only address a handful of people in the room: the elders of the church and maybe some men who aspire to be elders.

But it’s more than that. This teaching is for everyone in the church. It’s important. And it’s weighty.

We need to listen to what God says here. We need to pay attention and apply this, right here today.

If you have your Bible (and I hope you do), please turn with me to 1 Peter 5. If you are able and willing, please stand for the reading of God’s Holy Word.

1 Peter 5:1–4 NIV

1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

May God add His blessing to the reading of His Holy Word!

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As we talk about elders, we have to think through what is meant by the terms the Bible uses to speak about elders. All three of the terms used to describe the office of elder are used here in 1 Peter 5: Elder. Overseer. Shepherd.

[SLIDE] Here’s a nice Venn diagram that shows the usage of words.

In the NT the words “elder” (presbyteros) and “bishop” (episkopos) describe the same office or authoritative function (as seen, e.g., in Acts 20:17, 28 and Titus 1:5, 7).

“Elder” focuses on the person who serves, while “bishop” (lit., “one who exercises oversight”) focuses on the practical function of the office.

“Elders” or “bishops” are also “pastors.”

The Greek word poimēn is used of pastors only once in the NT, at Ephesians 4:11. However, the related verb form (poimainō), meaning “to shepherd” or “feed,” with the idea of nurturing and sustaining the flock of God, is found at Acts 20:28 and here at 1 Peter 5:2 (“shepherd the flock”).

Elders exercise pastoral responsibilities. Whereas Jesus is “the chief Shepherd” (v. 4), He has appointed undershepherds to lead, feed, nurture, and protect God’s “flock” (cf. 2:25).

So, this morning, as we focus our attention on 1 Peter 5:1-4, we’re going to give thought to what God’s Word says about elders/overseers/shepherds and what this means for us as a church body.

Peter begins by addressing the elders of the churches, appealing to them as a fellow elder.

The Appeal (vv. 1-2a)

In appealing to the elders of these churches, Peter refers to himself in three ways.

A fellow elder

A witness of Christ’s sufferings

One who will share in the glory to come.

Our friend, Pete, makes up his own word here—sympresbuteros—to identify himself with the leaders of the churches as one like them. He calls himself “sympresbuteros” = fellow elder.

He could have used the term “apostle” to emphasize his authority. But he issues this appeal from the common ground he has with them—as an undershepherd of God’s people.

Peter was also a witness of Christ’s sufferings. He reminds the elders in Asia Minor of this truth.

Suffering, as Peter makes clear throughout his letter, is the path to glory. Jesus Himself traveled the road of suffering. Jesus’ people should not be surprised if/when they suffer.

Peter isn’t suggesting he saw every moment of Christ’s suffering. Everyone knows Peter fled the scene of Jesus’ trial/arrest/crucifixion.

Peter was, however, one of Jesus’ closest companions throughout His earthly ministry. Peter saw the opposition to Jesus’ public ministry. Peter was there when Jesus was arrested. Chopped off a dude’s ear, even. Peter was a witness of Jesus’ sufferings, no doubt about it.

Peter, as a fellow elder, says he will share in the glory to be revealed. He, along with all who belong to Christ, will share in the glory Jesus promised. The glory that will be revealed when Jesus returns.

Peter appeals to the elders as one who has these things in common with them.

His appeal, then, is this: 1 Peter 5:2 “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them…”

The function of the eldership, the task of the elders is explained. They are to function as shepherds of God’s flock.

The words “God’s flock” remind the elders that the congregation does not belong to them. It’s God’s church.

It’s God’s church; not the elders’ church. Elders are given (by God) the privilege and responsibility of shepherding it.

“Shepherd” is used in Acts 20:28 to describe the responsibility of elders within the church.

Acts 20:28

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

This word—shepherd—means something special to Peter. Jesus Himself told Peter: “Shepherd my sheep.”

This, Jesus told Peter, after Peter had denied Him three times. Jesus was reinstating Peter. Jesus charged Peter with this task.

John 21:16 NASB95

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

When Peter calls the elders to be shepherds of the flock, he is almost certainly remembering his own calling. At that unforgettable breakfast (fish for breakfast…yuck), the Risen Jesus charged Peter to be a shepherd.

To feed His sheep. To tend His sheep. These are the tasks of a shepherd.

Watching over them [God’s flock] is another function of the church elders. They are to oversee. They are overseers of the flock of God.

This is the appeal. This is the call. This is what is expected of elders within Christ’s church.

“Shepherd” and “overseer” both paint a good picture in my mind.

A shepherd makes sure the sheep are fed. False shepherds (Ezekiel 34) are condemned for taking from the flock to feed themselves. They should have been giving of themselves to feed the flock.

A shepherd protects his flock. His rod and staff defend his own. He carries the lambs in his arms. The sheep with their young are safe with the shepherd. The shepherd watches over the flock, making sure they’re good and accounted for.

Elders shepherd the members of the church. They feed the sheep a steady diet of God’s Word. They expound the Word, explaining it, applying it.

Elders care for the sheep, protect the sheep from predators; watching over them, guarding against those savage wolves who will come to attack; protecting the flock from those who distort the truth in order to draw disciples away.

Of course, the shepherding work of the elder is just a shadow of Christ Jesus, whom Peter refers to as the Chief Shepherd (here in verse 4, and “Shepherd” in chapter 2: 1 Peter 2:25 “For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”)

Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, guards His sheep. In Him, they are secure. He states emphatically:

John 10:27–28 NIV

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

That’s the work of our Shepherd, Jesus.

He is the Good Shepherd.

John 10:11 NIV

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus did just that. He laid down His life for His sheep. That’s what a shepherd does.

Peter appeals to the elders of these churches. He appeals to the elders of this church. The appeal: be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them.

It’s a high calling. It requires complete dependence upon Jesus, the Chief Shepherd—the One who takes care of us, protects us, watches over us, sacrifices for us.

The Manner (vv. 2b-3)

Peter moves from his appeal to the manner in which elders ought to operate.

These instructions are always appropriate for the leadership of the church.

These instructions take on new urgency in a situation where the church faces persecution. The church needs a specific kind of leader as it faces persecution and suffering.

Peter organizes his thoughts for us in a helpful way, if you ask me. It’s only my opinion, but I’m helped by the “not this, but that” flow of these two verses.

As Peter writes to the elders in the churches, he starts with this contrast:

Not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;

There’s nothing about serving under “compulsion” that pleases the Lord or does anyone any good. It’s not about serving because you must; it’s important to do this willingly (just like when we give our tithes and offerings).

The man who aspires to be and elder/overseer, Paul writes to Timothy, desires a noble task. But the role of elder also comes with great responsibility. Elders will face a stricter judgment, says James.

To be an elder is a weighty thing.

Only the man who is willing to serve in the role of elder will be up for what gets thrown at the elders. As Peter envisions it, the elders are the first line of defense against those who would attack and persecute the church. The elder needs to be willing to stand, not serving because they feel they must.

Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

Elders and other leaders can take a position out of greed, or because they’re looking to gain something. In the NT, false teachers are often charged with wrongdoing because of their love of money (that’s the reason they were doing whatever they were doing).

Apparently, Peter has some thought that there are people who would want to serve the church for whatever financial gain they could swing.

This made me think about Judas who got upset at the woman for breaking the expensive jar of perfume instead of selling it to give money to the poor. John tells us Judas didn’t care about the poor, but as the keeper of the money bag Judas used to help himself to what was in it (John 12).

There are plenty of stories about leaders in the church embezzling money. There are myriad examples of people wanting to serve for money or notoriety or power or position.

There are scores of examples of men and women who have become extremely wealthy as false teachers (Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer—false teachers and multi-millionaires, all).

The elder must not pursue dishonest gain, but be eager to serve. To serve. To excitedly do the work. Not as if it were simply another job. Not to get rich. But out of desire to serve.

Peter gives one final contrast:

Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Elders are not to use their position of authority as an opportunity to oppress. Jesus said the rulers of the Gentiles/pagans behaved in that way, lording their authority over them, bossily telling others what to do.

The church has been entrusted to the elders. The church isn’t there for the elders to boss around, but the church is there so that the elders can model the character of Christ to them as they lead and serve, shepherd and protect, feed and guide.

Leadership in the church is to look markedly different than leadership outside the church. Leadership in the church is to look like Jesus.

Service and sacrifice. Humility and hospitality. Generosity and grace. Love for God and His Word. Obedience to the LORD in all things.

Edmund Clowney writes this:

“The elder has authority; he is called to exercise a shepherd’s oversight. Christ the Chief Shepherd has called him to exercise a shepherd’s care.

But the undershepherd is not a stand-in for the Lord. He presents the word of the Lord, not his own. He enforces the revealed will of the Lord, not his own wishes.

For that reason, any undermining of the authority of Scripture turns church government into spiritual tyranny. If church elders add to or subtract from the word of God, they make themselves lords over the consciences of others. Far from being a lord and master, the elder is to be an example.”

That is the manner in which elders are to function.

The Reward (v. 4)

Suffering is followed by glory; this we’ve seen. It’s a repeated thought in 1 Peter. Suffering for now. Glory to come. Those who serve well now will receive a great reward later.

The labor of a church’s elders will result in great reward: when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Chief Shepherd is a term that shows up nowhere else in the NT. Peter just making up all kinds of words.

It could be translated ‘Arch-Shepherd’. Jesus is the Chief. The Head. He is THE Shepherd.

With that understanding, the church must realize elders are fundamentally His servants. Elders are not THE shepherds of the church; Jesus is our Shepherd. Elders are, simply put, undershepherds.

Leadership is a responsibility; it’s not for status. All status, honor, and glory belong to God, and God alone.

When Jesus appears, that is, when He returns, He will reward His people. Jesus will give a crown of glory to the elders that will never fade. Our inheritance, our reward, is kept in heaven for us.

The meaning of this crown is debated; the point is: the prize for serving Him comes in the next life, not in this one.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the elder’s example.

Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, is the elder’s hope and reward.

The elders of Christ’s church don’t work for earthly status or reward.

For most elders in most churches, it’s a thankless job. A difficult job; the work is largely unseen. It’s prayer and study. It’s counsel and help given to those within the church. It’s grieving alongside those who grieve, weeping with those who weep. For most elders in most churches, they’re unpaid and probably unnoticed.

The elders I know and serve with don’t serve out of compulsion, but because they’re willing. They’re not looking to gain anything, but want to serve. Their heart is in serving the church, protecting and caring for the members of Christ’s church under their care.

The reward is Christ. To serve Him by serving His people is enough.

The goal for the elders/shepherds/overseers in every church is to point the people to Jesus.

The elders of this and every church do this imperfectly. We’re not going to do everything just right.

When we fall short, it makes clear how much we need Jesus.

If we do something right, it’s only because of Jesus.

We won’t get everything right. We’ll do a lot of stuff wrong. There will be times you disagree with what the elders decide.

This is because no one is perfect.

No church is perfect.

Someone once cautioned: “If you find a perfect church, don’t join it; you’ll just mess it up.”

We are all flawed. Sinful. Imperfect. We muddle through. But we’ll make it because we have a Good Shepherd who is guiding us, caring for us, watching over us. And He will lead us all the way home.

Seek Him. Look to Him. Trust Him.

Let’s serve the LORD together, doing what He’s called us to do, in the manner He’s called us to do it, awaiting reward from Him.

Let’s serve the LORD together—faithfully, obediently, joyfully, until Jesus comes again.